Japan premier calls North Korea move 'a grave threat'

By Todd Crowell

TOKYO (AA) - Japanese citizens awoke Tuesday morning to television news and civil defense instructions to take cover in secure buildings or underground as a North Korean ballistic missile passed over parts of Hokkaido before landing in the sea.

North Korea tested the patience of its regional neighbors early Tuesday morning by firing a ballistic missile over Japan for the first time in nearly two decades.

The projectile flew around 2,700 kilometers (1,678 miles) and "passed through the sky over Japan, according to a statement from South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff carried by local news agency Yonhap. Yonhap later said the missile landed in the East Sea.

“Missile Passing, Missile Passing” screamed one Japanese public service announcement. Commuters faced train delays even as far away as Tokyo. “All lines are experiencing disruptions. Reason: a ballistic missile launch,” said a train station announcement.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said: “North Korea’s reckless action is unprecedented, serious and a grave threat to Japan.”

Local media said Abe also spoke about 40 minutes with President Donald Trump. Trump said America was behind Japan 100 percent. The two reportedly agreed to put more pressure on Pyongyang.

Foreign Minister Taro Kono speculated that Pyongyang picked an alternative target for its mid-range ballistic missile after apparently postponing a threatened demonstration against Guam.

Still according to local media, Defense minister Itsunori Onodera said no attempt was made to shoot the missile down since it apparently was not falling on Japan itself.